The Suffering Podcast

Kevin Donaldson

Adversity is the common thread throughout the lives of all living human beings.  This human condition can either make us or break us.  Nothing great comes easy and it's the overcoming of adversity that makes us who we are.  Living by the ethos Suffering is THE way to sustainable success and the path to greatness. Always remember Mike Failace.

  1. Episode 272: The Suffering of an Actor with Garry Pastore

    FEB 22

    Episode 272: The Suffering of an Actor with Garry Pastore

    Send a text Garry Pastore is a seasoned actor whose impressive career spans over four decades in film and television. Most recently, Garry guest starred as Arnold White in the highly anticipated Peacock original series Long Bright River (2025), starring Amanda Seyfried and Nicholas Pinnock. Currently, he captivates audiences in the trending Paramount+ series First Shift (2024), where he plays Valente, a maniacal mob boss. Filming for First Shift will continue in New Jersey through September 2025. Throughout his extensive career, Garry has been a prominent presence in numerous blockbuster TV series, including The Blacklist, The Deuce, The Sopranos, Blue Bloods, Billions, Boardwalk Empire, Power, Law & Order, Hit & Run, Seven Seconds, Gotham, and many more. On the big screen, Garry's filmography is equally remarkable, with standout roles in iconic movies such as The Irishman, Wolf of Wall Street, Rob the Mob, The Week Of, Last Call, The Yards, Who's Jenna, as well as fan favorites like Goodfellas, Carlito's Way, Donnie Brasco, A Bronx Tale, Cop Land, The Siege, Do the Right Thing, Cocktail, Prizzi's Honor, and many others. His film and television credits now exceed over one hundred, and his prolific career shows no signs of slowing down. Recently, Garry has ventured into new territory, moving away from his signature mobster and law enforcement roles. He has been cast as Father McCarthy, a beleaguered Irish priest, in the upcoming gothic horror film Hellbound Covenant (2025), where he faces a demonic force threatening his clergy. Beyond acting, Garry is also pursuing a passion for writing, directing, and producing. Having already found success with his personal projects Waiting for Budd and Destressed, he continues to create compelling screenplays for the big screen, with plans to bring some of his projects into production before the end of the year. Find Garry Pastore IMDb  Instagram Find The Suffering Podcast The Suffering Podcast Instagram Kevin Donaldson Instagram Apple Podcast Spotify YouTube Support the show The Suffering Podcast Instagram Kevin Donaldson Instagram TikTok YouTube

    1h 16m
  2. Episode 270: The Suffering of Anxiety with Karl Ross

    FEB 15

    Episode 270: The Suffering of Anxiety with Karl Ross

    Send a text Karl Ross and his sister, Cheryl, were born at the U.S. Navy Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia. They spent their early years in Kentucky until their father was discharged from the Navy, after which the family moved to New Jersey to be closer to his mother’s side of the family. During Karl’s early years, his parents divorced and went their separate ways. Karl was raised on welfare and food stamps until his mother, through hard work and dedication while attending college, graduated from Bergen Community College and secured a position with the county elections office. In the early 1980s, Karl began coaching while also becoming involved in the fire department. During this time, he met his wife, Nancy, at their high school while she was still a junior. Karl and Nancy have been married for 41 years and have three children and six grandchildren. Karl went on to serve in the fire department, retiring in 2007 after many years of service. Throughout his fire service career, he held numerous officer positions and ultimately rose to the rank of Chief of the Department in 1997. Karl began coaching football at the local recreational level in 1983 and eventually served as both head coach and president of the program for several years. During that time, he coached in 14 Super Bowls, winning eight. He later advanced to the high school level, where he coached teams to six state sectional titles in football and baseball, winning five of them, in addition to capturing seven league championships. Karl retired from his professional career in 2020 after 34 years of service with the Carlstadt Department of Public Works. In his later years, he has faced significant personal challenges, including cancer affecting his immediate family beginning in 2014. He lost his younger sister, Cheryl, in 2019, followed three months later by his stepfather, Richard, in August 2019. In November 2019, his mother, Barbara, was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in 2021. In December 2023, Karl himself was diagnosed with cancer and continues to battle the disease today. Find Karl Ross Instagram Instagram Find The Suffering Podcast The Suffering Podcast Instagram Kevin Donaldson Instagram Tom Flynn Instagram Apple Podcast Spotify YouTube Support the show The Suffering Podcast Instagram Kevin Donaldson Instagram TikTok YouTube

    1h 10m
  3. Episode 269: The Suffering of Domestic Abuse with Salvatore Poccia

    FEB 8

    Episode 269: The Suffering of Domestic Abuse with Salvatore Poccia

    Send a text Salvatore Poccia just wanted a simple family life, but what he got instead is the stuff of nightmares. He experienced the subject that men just don’t talk about. Male domestic abuse is real. Male domestic violence is real. And far too often, it goes unheard. This video addresses the uncomfortable truth that many men experience abuse behind closed doors—emotional, psychological, physical, and financial—while being told to “man up,” stay quiet, or assume the blame. Shame, disbelief, and stigma keep countless men trapped in silence, convinced their pain doesn’t qualify as abuse. Abuse does not have a gender. Victims do not have a single face. In this conversation, we confront the myths surrounding male victims of domestic violence, explore how manipulation and control often replace visible bruises, and discuss why men struggle to seek help. If you’ve ever felt isolated, doubted, or dismissed while living in an abusive relationship, this video is for you—and for those who need to understand what male abuse truly looks like. This is not about blaming. This is about recognizing. This is about giving language to suffering that’s been ignored for too long. If this resonates with you or someone you care about, you are not weak—and you are not alone. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please contact local emergency services or a domestic violence hotline in your country. Help is available. Find Salvatore Facebook Find The Suffering Podcast The Suffering Podcast Instagram Kevin Donaldson Instagram Tom Flynn Instagram Apple Podcast Spotify YouTube Support the show The Suffering Podcast Instagram Kevin Donaldson Instagram TikTok YouTube

    1h 10m
  4. Episode 268: The Suffering of Empowerment with Jeremy Campbell

    FEB 1

    Episode 268: The Suffering of Empowerment with Jeremy Campbell

    Send a text Jeremy Campbell, born and raised just outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a dedicated father property manager, social media influencer, youth activist, coach, and mentor whose work centers around inspiring and empowering the next generation.  Dedicated to lifelong learning, Jeremy completed project management coursework at Villanova University in 2019 and holds certifications including Level 2 CNC Operator from Montgomery County Community College. His leadership also extends deeply into athletics. Since beginning his coaching journey in 2019, he has served as both a volunteer assistant and head coach, achieving a combined record of 47–14. As a head coach, he holds an impressive 21–4 record and has led his team to back-to-back undefeated seasons, including winning the first annual Rumble on the River Fall Invitational in 2024 and finishing as runner-up in this year’s tournament. In 2021, Jeremy founded Fast Feet, a youth sports organization that has helped hundreds of young athletes develop skill, confidence, and character across football, baseball, basketball, golf, and more. In 2024, he expanded his mission by launching Culture Collabs, a social media initiative dedicated to inspiring today’s youth through meaningful and relatable content. The platform has collaborated with professional athletes, entrepreneurs, artists, musicians, law enforcement professionals, mental health advocates, and many others. Jeremy’s personal passions—sports, coaching, cooking, art, and mentorship—reflect his belief in leading with heart. A devoted family man, outdoor enthusiast, and golfer, he finds joy in travel, nature, and quality time with loved ones. His faith is central to his purpose, and he openly shares his experiences with depression and living with CMT, a neurological disorder affecting his legs, to encourage others facing similar challenges. Jeremy’s empathy, emotional intelligence, and genuine care for people set him apart, and he continues to serve as a role model and guiding voice within his community. Find Jeremy Campbell Instagram Facebook YouTube Find The Suffering Podcast The Suffering Podcast Instagram Kevin Donaldson Instagram Tom Flynn Instagram Apple Podcast Spotify YouTube Support the show The Suffering Podcast Instagram Kevin Donaldson Instagram TikTok YouTube

    1h 7m
  5. Episode 267: The Suffering of Tactics with Cesar Olavarria

    JAN 25

    Episode 267: The Suffering of Tactics with Cesar Olavarria

    Send a text Cesar Olavarria is a retired law enforcement sergeant with over twenty-six years of distinguished service in New Jersey, where he held leadership roles in tactical operations, emergency response, and specialized training. Throughout his career, Mr. Olavarria has demonstrated exceptional skill in Active Threat Response, Critical Infrastructure Protection, and Tactical Leadership, earning recognition for his professionalism, composure, and commitment to safeguarding lives under pressure. As a CoDe Member with Armatec Global, Mr. Olavarria contributes his extensive operational knowledge and instructional expertise to the company’s mission of protecting critical infrastructure and enhancing organizational readiness. His work supports Armatec’s focus on Active Shooter Preparedness, Facility Security Assessments, Threat Mitigation Planning, and Defensive Tactics Integration. Mr. Olavarria’s background uniquely bridges the gap between law enforcement operations, martial arts mastery, and modern threat management science, making him one of the foremost voices in integrated tactical readiness and civilian safety training today. In 2008, Mr. Olavarria founded the Institute of Defensive Methods, an educational and tactical training organization dedicated to advancing defensive readiness for law enforcement, military, and civilian professionals. Through this institute, he has delivered scenario-based training programs that integrate the discipline of martial arts with the realism and urgency of tactical decision-making. His programs have served police departments, private security teams, educators, and corporate organizations seeking practical solutions for threat mitigation and emergency response. The Institute remains a cornerstone in Mr. Olavarria’s mission to promote readiness, resilience, and responsible defense through ethical and effective training. Mr. Olavarria believes that true security begins with mental clarity, structured training, and disciplined awareness. His teaching philosophy rejects fear-based approaches, emphasizing instead a calm, focused, and informed mindset capable of functioning effectively under duress. Whether in the field, classroom, or training environment, Mr. Olavarria’s mission remains consistent: to equip individuals and organizations with the confidence, capability, and composure necessary to protect lives and maintain operational integrity in the face of modern threats. Find Cesar Olavarria Instagram Find The Suffering Podcast The Suffering Podcast Instagram Kevin Donaldson Instagram Tom Flynn Instagram Apple Podcast Spotify YouTube Support the show The Suffering Podcast Instagram Kevin Donaldson Instagram TikTok YouTube

    1h 6m
5
out of 5
79 Ratings

About

Adversity is the common thread throughout the lives of all living human beings.  This human condition can either make us or break us.  Nothing great comes easy and it's the overcoming of adversity that makes us who we are.  Living by the ethos Suffering is THE way to sustainable success and the path to greatness. Always remember Mike Failace.

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